Feelings and opinions were decidedly mixed at the Special Called Meeting of the Presbytery, held on June 27 at Solana Beach Presbyterian Church. Moderator Rev. Dr. Jack Baca called the meeting to hear reports from the commissioners and overture advocate. The bottom line is that the standard for ordination as a deacon, elder or pastor of "fidelity in marriage or chastity in singleness" was reaffirmed at GA, but Recommendation 5 of the PUP Report (Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church) was also approved.

Recommendation 5 is widely seen as opening the door for "local option" - if a local ordaining body decides that a candidate's sexual behavior outside a marriage between a man and a woman is not essential to his or her qualifications to serve the church that person could be ordained, in spite of the fidelity or chastity requirement. Such an ordination could be subject to judicial review, which potentially could clog church courts. Other possibilities include pastors ordained in a progressive presbytery being found unacceptable in a conservative presbytery.

For a full range of viewpoints -- right, left and center -- on this and other issues facing the PCUSA, go to the Links Page on this website.

At the Called Meeting, Moderator Baca announced the selection of seven-person task force to study the results of the GA and make a recommendation as to how the Presbytery of San Diego might respond. Their report will be made at the September 19 meeting of Presbytery.

Moderator's Letter
Following is the letter from Rev. Dr. Jack Baca, moderator of San Diego Presbytery and Pastor and Head of Staff at the Village Church in Rancho Santa Fe.

June 29, 2006

Dear Elder & Minister Commissioners to Presbytery and Session Clerks,

As I write to you in the midst of a season of unrest and concern in our little corner of God's Kingdom called the Presbyterian Church, I am encouraged by these words from a similar season in the ancient church:

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind-just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you-so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (I Corinthians 1:4-9).

Several of us returned a week ago from the 217th General Assembly held in Birmingham, Alabama, and many more of us gathered for a called meeting of Presbytery two days ago at Solana Beach Presbyterian Church. As you no doubt know by now, the Assembly acted on many items of business, including the report of the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity. The controversial recommendation in the report for a new Authoritative Interpretation of the constitution was amended and then approved by a 57% to 43% vote.

The impact of the amendments is now generating significant discussion across the denomination as to whether or not this new interpretation substantively changes our practice of ordination. What is very clear to me and to many others is that we are at a watershed moment in the life of our denomination.

At our Presbytery meeting on March 21, 2006, we adopted the Resolution of San Diego Presbytery which includes a plan for our response in the event of significant action by the General Assembly. A copy of the Resolution is included for your reference. Item 5 directs the Moderator of Presbytery to appoint a Task Force no later than July 15, 2006 that will lead the Presbytery in formulating a response and addressing the specific questions as listed in the Resolution. The Task Force is to report to Presbytery at our stated meeting on September 19, 2006

Appointment of Task Force on the Way Forward

Acting on my judgment that the Assembly's action constitutes potential significant change in our ordination practice, I have appointed the Task Force on the Way Forward, the members of which I introduced at our called meeting two days ago. The following seven individuals have willingly and graciously agreed to serve, along with three ex-officio members:

• Rev. Kirk Bottomly, Pastor, Fallbrook Presbyterian
• Elder Elizabeth Crews, First Presbyterian, San Diego
• Elder Nancy Harber, Faith Presbyterian
• Rev. Dr. Bruce Humphrey, Pastor, Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian
• Rev. Dr. Chris Lenocker, Pastor, Faith Presbyterian
• Rev. Dr. Mike McClenahan, Pastor, Solana Beach Presbyterian
• Elder Loreto Remorca, Jr., Northminster Presbyterian

• Rev. Dr. Jack Baca, Pastor, Rancho Santa Fe Village Church, Presbytery Moderator
• Rev. Dr. Andy Smith, Executive Presbyter
• Elder Linda Therien, Stated Clerk

The Task Force has named Elder Elizabeth Crews as Chair and has scheduled an all-day meeting for Monday, July 17 and a half-day meeting for Monday, July 24. They have covenanted together to enter into a season of prayer and discernment as they embark on their work. They have heard clearly the sentiments expressed two days ago that the Presbytery respond expediently and clearly.

According to the language and spirit of the Resolution (approved by San Diego Presbytery on March 21; see it elsewhere on this website) I have charged the Task Force with leading the whole Presbytery in moving forward. The Task Force will necessarily involve many more people in this process, and we will decide together how God is leading us to respond. Please pray for the Task Force. Please feel free to provide your input and encouragement. Please be prepared to be called upon to help the Task Force in its work. Please allow time for the Task Force to do its work so that we as a Presbytery can move forward "decently and in order."

God Continues His Ministry Through Us

While this is a difficult time in our denomination, we must also remember the countless ways in which God continues his ministry through us. The Assembly did many positive things, including the election of a competent and discerning Moderator, the adoption of a balanced and moderate stance on issues related to Israel, and passage of a more appropriate approach to late-term abortion, among others. The Presbytery has just welcomed several pastors into new calls. Our Resolution commits us to greater faithfulness and effectiveness in ministry, regardless of what troubling issues there are around us.

Personally, I believe that God is working in the midst of these chaotic times to create a new reality for the Presbyterian Church. Such change and growth and even new birth is sometimes painful, or confusing, and always unsettling. But we have faith in the God whose hand is underneath it all, and so we can continue to live each day in joyful fellowship with him through his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. All glory and honor are his alone.

Grace and Peace to All,

Rev. Dr. Jack Baca, Moderator, Presbytery of San Diego

Over sixteen hundred years ago, 318 bishops of the ecumenical church gathered in the great city of Nicea to address theological differences that were leading to great discord in the church. The church faced a great divide centered around one central question related to the nature of Jesus Christ, "Was Jesus of Nazareth of the same substance as the Father, or merely a like, or similar substance?" The entire debate of the Council of Nicea centered around one simple letter of the Greek alphabet, "i". The words homoousios (same substance) and homoiousios (like or similar substance) differed in spelling by only the Greek letter "i". This one Greek letter symbolized the great divide in the church in the fourth century.

The 217th General Assembly in Birmingham, Alabama met to address and act upon matters relating to great discord in the church. Like Nicea, the actions of the 217th General Assembly can best be symbolized by one simple letter of the alphabet, "r". The words evolution and revolution differ in spelling by only the letter "r". I believe the actions of the 217th General Assembly in Birmingham, Alabama have changed the language of the streets in the PC (USA). The language of evolution has been replaced by a language of revolution.

For decades, evangelicals and moderates sought to bring about lasting change in our denomination by working within the system through active participation in sessions, presbyteries, synods and the General Assembly. Many were encouraged to "show up", "stay late" and "vote" if they wanted their voices to make a difference. This slow, deliberate, evolutionary process of change came about one committee meeting at a time, one session meeting at a time, one presbytery meeting at a time, and/or one synod or General Assembly meeting at a time. Evolutionary change demanded patience and perseverance. For years, this long-term commitment to evolutionary change in the PC(USA) was the language of the day. Now, the language of evolution has ended. A new language of revolution is in the air.

Webster's dictionary defines a revolution as a " complete or radical change of any kind." A revolutionary is one who is committed to bringing about or constituting a great or radical change. We are now in the midst of a revolution in our beloved PC(USA). Dozens of GA staff positions are being eliminated. GA, synod, and presbytery budgets are being slashed. Presbyterian missionaries are being removed from the mission field. Denominational organizational charts are turning upside down. Many loyal and committed members of the PC(USA) have abandoned the slow, deliberate commitment to evolutionary change and are now speaking a new language of revolution. Revolutions require a focused leadership, a unified purpose, a well formulated strategy and a passionate commitment to sweeping change for the sake of a better church. The language of revolution is in the air. That is good news.

I pray that revolution does not turn to riot. If the language of revolution gives way to the language of riots, we all lose. Riots are reactionary and driven by anger. Riots never lead to real, lasting, positive change. Riots cause destruction and are harmful to the greater society. No one benefits from riots. Revolutions lead whole societies to an entirely new way of thinking and acting. Revolutions don't scare me. Riots do. In the PC (USA), the language of evolution is over. The language of revolution is here. May the revolution never become a riot, and may it be seasoned with grace and truth.

1. FINAL REPORT OF THE THEOLOGICAL TASK FORCE ON PEACE, UNITY & PURITY:
The 213th (2001) General Assembly appointed the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity (PUP) of the Church; and this year, the task force presented its final report and recommendations. A new authoritative interpretation of our Constitution, which affects the way all of our ordination standards are applied, was adopted. The effect of the adoption of the PUP Report is the national standard of G-6.0106b has been upheld as a constitutional standard of the church concerning fidelity in marriage and chastity in singleness, but now local governing bodies (sessions and presbyteries) can determine whether or not any departure from a national standard is "essential" or "non-essential" when determining whether or not the departure should prevent an ordination from occurring. The Ecclesiology Committee of this year's General Assembly recommended (41 to 22) that the Assembly adopt recommendations 5, 6, and 7 (the most controversial recommendations) of the PUP report as one unit. A minority report sought to delete recommendation 5, and a separate motion suggested gathering input from the presbyteries and postponing action until the 218th General Assembly. Both the minority report and the motion were defeated by a margin of 55% to 45%. Ultimately, the Assembly adopted the PUP Report in its entirety by two separate actions: recommendations 1, 2, 3, and 4 were adopted by a vote of 91%. Recommendations 5 (as amended), 6, and 7 were adopted by a vote of 57%. Many feel this opens the door for governing bodies to approve the ordination of gay and lesbian persons to the ministry of elder, deacon and Minister of Word and Sacrament in the PC (USA).

2. ENDING PHASED, SELECTIVE DIVESTMENT IN ISRAEL:
The Jewish community, Presbyterians, and believers around the globe have raised questions and concerns about the 216th (2004) General Assembly's action instructing the Mission Responsibility Through Investment Committee to "initiate a process of phased, selective divestment in multinational corporations operating in Israel . . . and to make appropriate recommendations to the General Assembly Council for action." This year, the General Assembly voted 94% to replace the 2004 instruction with the following statement: "to urge that financial investments of the Presbyterian Church (USA), as they pertain to Israel, Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank, be invested in only peaceful pursuits, and affirm that the customary corporate engagement process of the Committee on Mission Responsibility Through Investments of our denomination is the proper vehicle for achieving this goal." Rev. Gretchen Graf, moderator of the committee, said, "Our intent is to engage corporations, not to divest."

3. ORDINATION STANDARDS RELATING TO G-6.0106b:
Many overtures called for the removal of Section G-6.0106b from our Constitution. That section limits ordination to individuals who practice "fidelity in marriage or chastity in singleness." The Church Orders Committee voted by a narrow margin (30 to 28) to recommend to this year's General Assembly that G-6.0106b be retained. The Assembly ratified the committee's recommendation by a vote of 405 to 92 and reaffirmed our constitutional standard forbidding the ordination of "self-affirming, practicing homosexuals".

4. THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY:
The 217th General Assembly approved a recommendation to "receive for study"-rather than adopt-the paper entitled, "The Trinity: God's Love Overflowing." The vote was 282 to 212. The paper was a response to a request from the 212th (2002) General Assembly that a study group consider the doctrine of the Trinity, particularly the question of inclusive language for references to God. The paper sparked concern among many by using "freshly imaginative" ways of referring to God. Several amendments were approved, including one supporting the use of only the words "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" in baptism.

5. KEY ELECTIONS INVOLVING FUTURE LEADERSHIP:
The Assembly expressed appreciation to John Detterick, as he retired from service as the Executive Director of the General Assembly Council. Detterick's successor, Elder Linda Bryant Valentine of Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, was confirmed with an 87% vote. In addition, Reverend Joan S. Gray was elected as Moderator of the 217th General Assembly. Rev. Gray is a faculty member at Columbia Theological Seminary, Johnson C. Smith Seminary, and Princeton Theological Seminary.

6. MAJOR CONSTITUTIONAL REVISIONS:
The Office of the General Assembly responded to a referral from the 216th (2004) General Assembly, which directed consultation across the denomination regarding a revised form of government. This referral followed more than 15 years of requests to substantively revise the Book of Order. The Assembly voted to: (1) appoint a FOG (Form of Government) Task Force to draft a new, simplified form of government by September 1, 2007; (2) immediately simplify Chapter 14 of the Book of Order, to provide more flexibility to presbyteries in candidacy and minister placements; and (3) present six amendments to Chapter 14, to be voted upon separately, in response to requests from around the denomination.

7. FINANCIAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL CUTBACKS:
The church's growing financial crisis was addressed this year. The General Assembly Council approved a radical restructuring of the denomination's mission program and reduced the 2007-2008 General Assembly mission budget by $9.15 million. In all, 75 staff positions in Louisville and 55 overseas mission positions have been eliminated and will reduce the budget by $5.2 million. These reductions represent the most expansive layoff of denominational staff and the most significant cuts to programs and services since the Presbyterian reunion in 1983. These organizational changes will eliminate existing ministry divisions (Congregational Ministries, National Ministries, and Worldwide Ministries), as well as their senior executive and administrative staffs, by October 2006.

8. ISSUES RELATED TO LATE TERM ABORTIONS:
The 217th General Assembly adopted by 75% a revised position statement on late term pregnancy. The statement "affirm[s] that the lives of viable unborn babies-those well-developed enough to survive outside the womb if delivered-ought to be preserved and cared for and not aborted. In cases where problems of life or health of the mother arise in a pregnancy, the church supports efforts to protect the life and health of both the mother and the baby . . . ." The Assembly affirmed adoption for women who deliver children they are not able to care for and asked the churches to assist in seeking loving, Christian adoptive families.

9. SOCIAL JUSTICE CONCERNS:
The General Assembly took strong actions relating to social justice matters including the sexual exploitation of children, the human rights of migrant workers, the plight of homelessness in our country, and needed reform of current immigration laws and policies. Statements condemning torture and suicide bombings as crimes against humanity were also adopted. Noting the auspicious numbering of a proposal concerning terrorism and torture (Item 09-11), commissioners approved a paper calling on all governments to be held accountable in protecting human rights in a time of terrorism and torture.

10. SURPRISE AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY!
A Colorado businessman and elder contributed a historic $150 million gift to the PC (USA) to help presbyteries start new churches, transform struggling congregations, and develop new racial-ethnic congregations. Stanley W. Anderson of Denver created the new Loaves and Fishes Church Growth Fund to provide grants ranging from $250,000 to $1 million. Presbyteries will be required to apply for a grant and to match a portion of it. The Fund is expected to be operational by November 2006, and disbursements will begin during the first quarter of 2007. Applications must be processed by the end of 2009.

217th General Assembly Moderator Joan Gray

BIRMINGHAM,- Fresh off her election and installation as the new moderator of the 217th General Assembly (2006) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Rev. Joan Gray suggested to a group of reporters, "Maybe we could reframe our current situation as the struggle in which God meets and blesses us."

Gray and the other three candidates stressed the need for unity. Gray encouraged commissioners to find value in living with ambiguity rather than prematurely press for clarity on the issues that divide us before God leads to that clarity.

Echoing her key theme from the election - "God makes a way where there is no way" - Gray reflected, "As a pastor I can tell you story after story of people who got to dead ends and God met them there. Sometimes there is a calling to be in struggle."

A bit astonished by the election results, Gray began the press briefing by saying these next two years will be a "faith-walk adventure. This is not something I was planning. It will be a faith-walk that I hope the whole church will join me in."

When asked whether she would attend post-Assembly gatherings of groups such as San Diego Presbytery and the New Wineskins who have stated they will reassess their denominational participation if the Theological Task Force report is approved, she said, "I will go where I am invited, but I won't intrude."

She continued to emphasize the theme of listening that she stressed during her candidacy saying, "I'm a spiritual director. Listening is a powerful thing. And I will go as moderator to those places throughout the church where people are in pain."

When asked her opinion about the emphasis the election process placed on issues internal to the PC(USA), Gray quoted Emil Brunner who wrote, "I believe the church exists for mission as fire exists for burning." She added, "We cannot forsake our energy for mission. But sometimes we need to care for our own house. I really feel my call is to tend to our common life together."

Up until now, Gray has been an intentional interim pastor. She is currently between interim pastorates. She intends her duties as the General Assembly moderator to be her day job for the next two years.

Gray introduced Robert Wilson, elder commissioner from North Alabama Presbytery, as the person she will nominate for vice moderator. The Assembly will vote on the nomination on Monday. Wilson, a retired mechanical engineer, noted that his three priorities are to "work for the Lord, other volunteer work, and spoil my grandchildren." The first two priorities will get lots of attention in the coming two years.

BIRMINGHAM - Linda Bryant Valentine, the executive director-elect of the General Assembly Council (GAC), shared her experience and vision with members of the Mission Coordination and Budgets Committee and responded to their questions at the 217th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

"A light in the world," she said when asked by a committee member what she would draw as an image of the PC(USA) in the future.

Before responding to questions, Valentine summarized her experience leading complex and multi-party projects for large businesses and organizations, saying it would serve her well if confirmed as the denomination's chief executive officer.

However, she was quick to point out the primary difference between the business world and the PC(USA) is that, "Christ alone is head of the church."

Valentine, a lifelong Presbyterian and member of Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, was elected at a special GAC meeting on May 23 to become the council's next executive director. The Mission Coordination committee held open hearings Saturday before taking action on item 08-15 on recommending her to be affirmed by the General Assembly, which she was.

A vibrant and connected church is at the top of the list of what she envisions for the denomination.

"The churches that are most alive are the ones that see mission cannot be done by proxy," she said, referring to former moderator Rick Ufford-Chase's report to commissioners.

She said good business practices, including communication, coupled with hands-on mission work are the elements that can help pull the denomination out of a downward spiral and decline.

A committee member affirmed her concern about communicating with people in the pew, but asked how it would happen.

"There is no magic answer," Valentine said, acknowledging it is difficult for people to discern the mission of the denomination with so many competing messages.

She cited a survey that revealed that many members cannot articulate the mission of the PC(USA). Rather than only seeing that as a problem, she sees it as an opportunity to build the denomination through greater awareness and support.

That support will come in part in the form of staff in Louisville and middle-governing bodies listening, responding and partnering with congregations. She said that describes another part of her vision for the denomination.

"I see Presbyterian joined together to witness to Christ in the world," she said.

Valentine added that the stunning gift of $150 million for church growth and theological education from Stanley W. Anderson of Colorado will greatly expand the avenues for Presbyterian witness.

"People join the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) because of mission," she said, and this gift enables an abundance of mission."

BIRMINGHAM - The 217th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) approved the sending of a pastoral letter to each of the denomination's 11,000 congregations explaining the role of an authoritative interpretation of the church's Constitution.

The action, approved as amended 288-207 with three abstentions, directs the stated clerk of the General Assembly to send the letter, and according to the overture, "a copy of the 'Policy Statements and Recommendations' from the 1978 report, 'The Church and Homosexuality' (also known as the Authoritative Interpretation of 1993)."

This process carries a financial implication of $10,000 for editing and designing the two-page pastoral letter, the eight-page policy statement's booklet, envelopes and mailings.

Stockton Presbytery proposed the pastoral letters in an overture that was recommended to commissioners by the Assembly Committee on Church Orders.

A brief study guide, to be prepared by the denomination's Office of Theology and Worship at a projected cost of $7,260, is also to be sent electronically to each congregation.

In the wake of Tuesday's action adopting the report of the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church, the Assembly did not approve any of the overtures it received seeking to change the church's "fidelity in marriage and chastity in singleness" standard (G-6.0106b) for church officers. Including overtures and concurrences, 22 of the 173 presbyteries had sought such action.

The Theological Task Force report urged this Assembly not to take any action changing that standard.

Rachel Brown will serve as Associate Pastor at Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church.

Rev. Kevin Womack has been voted by the congregation at Fletcher Hills Presbyterian Church to become Pastor, Head of Staff. He had been serving at Designated Pastor.

Rev. Bob Davis, who has served as Associate Pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Escondido since 2001, has accepted the call to serve as Pastor, Head of Staff of Chula Vista Presbyterian Church.

Rev. Paul Cunningham has been selected to serve as Pastor, Head of Staff at La Jolla Presbyterian Church.

Photo Page

Rev. Henry DeGraaff is serving as Stated Supply Pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Point Loma.

By Kyle Holberg

In the Third World (mostly the southern hemisphere), there is widespread hunger and homelessness among children and adults, as well as lack of medical care and educational opportunities. What can be done about it? One answer is the cancellation of debts of impoverished nations. The Jubilee USA Network has been working since 1997 toward this purpose.

In the Jubilee Year described in Leviticus, every 50 years those enslaved because of debts are freed and a community torn by inequality is reconciled. Today international debt is a new form of slavery. Debt slavery means poor nations work harder and harder in a vain effort to keep up with interest payments, even when they have already paid back the original debt owed to rich countries such as the United States and to international financial institutions such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. Jubilee USA Network brings together people from the faith community (including the Presbyterian Church-USA and World Vision) to turn around this reality through education and timely advocacy strategies.

Come learn more about the problem of Third World debt and the solutions envisioned by the Jubilee Network. Hear Wahu Kaara, a Presbyterian from Nairobi, Kenya, who will be in San Diego in July on behalf of the Jubilee USA Network.

Ms. Kaara is the Executive Director of the Kenya Debt Relief Network, a 2005 Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and a candidate for President of Kenya in the 2007 election. A teacher by profession, she now concentrates on the problems of global poverty and economic injustice. She has written extensively and spoken around the world on these issues, served as Coordinator of the Millennium Development goals campaign of the All Africa Council of Churches, and now serves on the International Coordinating Committee of the World Social Forum. A dynamic and passionate speaker, Wahu Kaara will speak on "Globalizing Hope" by relieving the enormous debts of the poorest nations in the world.

Two events are planned:

• "Wahu Kaara Forum" Sunday, July 16, 2006, 10:00 and 11:30 (Luncheon at 11:30) Christ Presbyterian Church, Rancho La Costa, 7708 Centella Street, Carlsbad 92009 760-753-3290
• "A Dialogue with Wahu Kaara" Tuesday, July 18, 2006, 7:00 PM (Refreshments will be served) Faith Presbyterian Church, 5075 Campanile Drive, San Diego 92115 619-582-8480

For more information about Jubilee, please go to www.jubileeusa.org

Next in the series of concerts at Pacific Beach Presbyterian Church’s Calvin Hall will be the contemporary Christian group Evangel & M.O.R. Concerts are held the first Saturday of each month from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Scheduled for September 2 is The Chemistry. On October 7 will be Archie Robinson & NBP.

For more information go to www.pbpres.org/events